The 2025 MLB draft begins Sunday and features impressive depth, with considerable parity among the top prospects. This year’s class is headlined by a strong group of high school shortstops and a deep crop of college pitchers.
The Washington Nationals hold the No. 1 overall pick. They recently fired longtime general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo, the team’s lead decision-maker.
A team to keep an eye on is the Baltimore Orioles. On Thursday, they traded for the 37th overall pick, giving them seven selections in the top 93. They also have the largest bonus pool allotment in this year’s draft, totaling just over $19 million.
This is our fourth mock draft of the 2025 MLB draft cycle. You can view our previous mock drafts here.
1. Nationals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
I went with Anderson last time, and I am sticking with that pick, as the firing of Rizzo won’t alter the Nationals’ draft all that much. This pick will come down to Anderson and Oklahoma prep star shortstop Ethan Holliday, the top player in the 2025 MLB draft class. Anderson was dominate at the College World Series, leaving a great final impression leading up to the draft. Anderson has the slight edge over Holliday right now to go first overall.
2. Angels: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
Anderson will likely be the pick here if he is on the board, but if he is not, look for the Angels to turn to another college player. The Angels have preferred college players who can move quickly through the minor leagues. Tennessee lefty Liam Doyle also is in play. Both players have pros and cons, but Arnold offers a higher floor as a starter. He’s a polished college arm who throws a mid-90s fastball and quality slider from a low three-quarters arm slot.
3. Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
The Mariners are connected to numerous names here, including prep righty Seth Hernandez and the top players in prep shortstop class. They also have interest in Arquette, which gives them a well-rounded shortstop that could potentially move through the farm system relatively quickly.
4. Rockies: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater (Okla.) HS
Holliday is the top player in the 2025 MLB draft class. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed hitter uses simple, low-effort mechanics and a quick swing to drive the ball with authority to all parts of the field. Defensively, Holliday is athletic, with smooth defensive actions and a strong arm.
Holliday is the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday and brother of Jackson Holliday, the star shortstop prospect for the Baltimore Orioles who went first overall in 2022.
5. Cardinals: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS
Willits is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting shortstop known for a well-balanced skill set. He has a quality approach and contact skills, with the ability to hit line drives to all parts of the field. Defensively, he has quality instincts with respectable athleticism. Willits was a top player in the 2026 class before he reclassified.
6. Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Hernandez is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound righty with frontline starter potential. Some scouts believe he might be the best prospect in this year’s draft class. But drafting a prep righty is the riskiest demographic. On the mound, he throws a mid-90s fastball, quality changeup and a swing-and-miss curveball from an athletic and repeatable delivery. Besides Hernandez, the Pirates are eyeing the prep shortstop class.
7. Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS
Scouts rave about Carlson’s athleticism and bat speed from the right side at the plate. He currently uses a line-drive approach with a smooth swing but has the potential to develop quality power. Defensively, Carlson likely will stick at shortstop due to his athleticism and above-average arm strength.
8. Blue Jays: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
The Blue Jays are connected to numerous demographics. This feels like a spot one of the top college arms will go. If they go a different direction, look at the high school shortstop class, headlined by JoJo Parker. Doyle shot up draft boards this spring due to his fastball, which is one of the best in the class. It is a high-90s pitch with movement that misses a ton of bats.
9. Reds: Ike Irish, C, Auburn
Irish is a 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting catcher known for his advanced offensive tools. His exceptional contact skills and low strikeout rate set him apart. Defensively, his best attribute is his above-average arm strength. Irish has continued to move up draft boards this year and seems positioned to go in the top 10.
Read a detailed feature story on Ike Irish and his skill set here.
10. White Sox: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS
Parker showcased his well-rounded skill set, including his above-average hit tool and strong defensive skills, to really improve his draft status. The White Sox continue to be connected to the high school shortstop class. It feels like the White Sox will ultimately take a prep player at this spot.
11. Athletics: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee
The Athletics are eyeing college performers, and Kilen is one of the best college position players in the 2025 MLB draft class. Kilen is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed hitter known for his above-average bat-to-ball skills. UCSB righty Tyler Bremner is a name to watch here.
12. Rangers: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS
Pierce offers the kind of well-rounded profile they covet, featuring a polished hit tool, plus speed and strong defensive ability. The Rangers are looking at prep shortstops at this spot.
13. Giants: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Witherspoon has all the tools to be a frontline starter in the major leagues. He has an above-average fastball and slider combination. His fastball touches 99 mph, while his slider is a huge swing-and-miss pitch.
14. Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS
The Rays aren’t afraid to take up-the-middle high school players. This year, they appear likely to continue that trend. Hall is the best prep left on the board, and the Rays have interest in him. The 17-year-old reclassified for this year’s draft and brings a dynamic skill set to the table. He’s an elite runner with the athleticism and defensive instincts to stick at shortstop in pro ball.
15. Red Sox: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
The Red Sox have been linked to college players. Houston is one of the handful of college position players in the mix here. Arkansas right-handed pitcher Gage Wood and UCSB righty Tyler Bremner also are in play.
Read a detailed feature story on Marek Houston and his skill set here.
16. Twins: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona
The Twins are connected with college position players in the first round. Summerhill is a well-rounded college performer who is expected to fall within this range of the draft.
17. Cubs: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
The Cubs have been linked to Bremner for a while, and the right-hander remains an intriguing draft prospect. He entered the year as one of the top college arms in the class with legitimate top-10 pick potential. Although he got off to a slow start due to inconsistencies with his secondary pitches, he finished strong, delivering a string of impressive outings over his final seven appearances.
18. Diamondbacks: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Aloy made strides both offensively and defensively this spring. While he carries some risk, he impressed in SEC play and earned SEC Player of the Year honors. He may ultimately shift to second base, where his bat could stand out.
19. Orioles: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
LaViolette entered the season as arguably the top prospect in the draft. He has size and hits for power, but he swung and missed too frequently this spring, impacting his draft status. He is a polarizing prospect and could go anywhere in the top 20 picks.
Read a detailed feature story on Jace LaViolette and his skill set here.
20. Brewers: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina
The Brewers often lean toward college players in the first round and are once again linked to that route. Bodine is a well-rounded catcher. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound switch-hitter is known for his advanced contact skills, disciplined approach and developing power. Behind the plate, he’s an above-average defender with a strong arm and solid receiving and blocking abilities.
Read a detailed feature story on Caden Bodine and his skill set here.
21. Astros: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak (Calif.) HS
Fien didn’t have a standout spring, but he was widely regarded as the top pure high school hitter on the summer showcase circuit. There’s buzz among scouts that he could be selected earlier than this spot, including in the teens.
22. Braves: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas
Wood missed two months earlier this season with a shoulder impingement, but he’s been soaring up draft boards of late, especially after his historic 19-strikeout no-hitter at the College World Series. He features first-round stuff, highlighted by a swing-and-miss arsenal, a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph, and a sharp power curve.
23. Royals: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset (Ore.) HS
Schoolcraft has an easy operation and a fastball in the mid-90s. He also mixes in a quality slider and changeup. At the plate, the left-handed hitter boasts above-average raw power with a short swing. Due to his athleticism, he is also a quality defender at first base. The Royals have the money and picks (also holding pick No. 28) to add high-end prep talent in the first round.
24. Tigers: Slater de Brun, OF, Summit (Ore.) HS
He may not have imposing size, but he’s a skilled hitter with speed and solid outfield defense. His profile fits well at the top of a lineup, with the potential to be a consistent table-setter.
25. Padres: Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian (N.C.) HS
The Padres have drafted a prep player with their first pick in nine straight drafts. They seem likely to continue that streak in the 2025 MLB draft. Hammond was a two-way player who developed into a first-round player as a hitter this spring.
26. Phillies: Andrew Fischer, 1B/3B, Tennessee
Fischer’s calling card is his above-average power to all fields, driven by a left-handed swing that combines bat speed, natural loft and the strength packed into his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame. With a slugger’s mindset and the ability to elevate, he proved he can drive the ball with authority using wood bats last summer in the Cape Cod League.
27. Guardians: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
The 6-foot-4 center fielder missed most of the season with a shoulder injury but still offers first-round talent. He’s a polished hitter with above-average speed and consistently makes hard contact. While his in-game power is still developing, scouts believe his size and approach point to more power to come.
Read a detailed feature story on Ethan Conrad and his skill set here.
***The Mets, Yankees and Dodgers had their top picks in the 2025 MLB draft pushed back 10 spots as a penalty for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax.
Read more in-depth stories on top 2025 MLB draft prospects at Baseball Prospect Journal.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. Hehas interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while hehas appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
